The chairman of the Waikato Conservation Board was on the receiving end of a “brutal assault” at the weekend, allegedly given to him by anti-1080 activists.
Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson sent out a release condemning the attack and the “intimidating and threatening” nature of the activists.
Ms Wilkinson says Board chairman Arthur Hinds endured a “brutal assault” by the activists at the Tairua Community Hall.
“1080 is an emotive issue for some people and they are entitled to their views, but they have no right to physically attack members of the community who only wish to protect our bush and wildlife from predators.
“Anti-1080 activists on the Coromandel have a history of intimidating and threatening DOC staff,” Ms Wilkinson says.
According to the Minister, Mr Hinds currently leads a private landowner 1080 operation at Whenuakite, including his own property, another private property and some conservation land.
She says he arrived at a community-led meeting about marine protection on the Coromandel when he was allegedly attacked by anti-1080 activists outside the hall.
Ms Wilkinson confirmed the assault has been reported to police and says the incident is not the first and the anti-1080 movement on the Coromandel was growing increasingly violent.
“Arthur works hard to promote conservation issues in Waikato and I doubt the actions of a few cowards will deter him.
“The individuals involved in this attack will be rightly dealt with by the police but the community also needs to stand up and send a strong message condemning this atrocious behaviour,” Ms Wilkinson says.
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